You’ve had such a multifaceted career—as a player, broadcaster, and now Hall of Fame president. What continues to fuel your passion for tennis?
I absolutely love tennis. I’ve loved it since I started hitting balls against the wall at the Douglaston Club at 3 years old. I played tennis before I could ride a two-wheeler. In fact, I used to ride my tricycle to the club and back. My brothers and I loved sports. We played them all, including competitive soccer, basketball, and baseball. But tennis was the top for me. I enjoyed the singular nature of it…that it was all on you, and I still love it to this day. I don’t play quite as much, but I still often go hit against the wall—for me, it’s also therapeutic.
How has your approach to commentary evolved now that you’re not only analyzing players, but also shaping the future of the sport through the Hall of Fame?
Commentary is an absolute passion for me. I’m so lucky to have been employed for so many years; it jazzes me. Most people who play tennis want to hear something that can help their game. So I always try to bring that to the match I’m commentating on. I also just have fun talking about tennis. And I attempt to bring that every day; it’s just a game.
Do you see reflections of your younger self in today’s rising tennis stars?
As far as today’s players, I wish I could have played like them! I definitely would have trained smarter not harder, because I trained hard. But I didn’t know what I was doing (for example, I ran long distances to get in shape—wrong! And I lifted heavy weights—wrong!). I look back and realize how uneducated I was about proper training for a sport like tennis. I had pretty good natural tennis skills (hand-eye coordination), but I was not super quick (great players now have to have both at a super high level).
What do you enjoy most about the US Open, and what does a typical day at the Open look like for you?
The US Open is my home tournament and certainly pretty nuts! I absolutely love the crowds, New York energy, and night matches. My days are long, though sometimes now I’ll get to come in midday as I’m usually working on our ESPN prime-time coverage until late at night. The good news is I’m usually done so late that it only takes me about 19 minutes to drive home.
Where do you enjoy playing tennis in the Hamptons?
I play at SPORTIME Amagansett (our East home of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy), which I oversee. It’s an amazing tennis club.
How do you balance the intensity of competition with the responsibility of preserving tennis’s legacy?
I’m proud to be associated with the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Integrity is part of the fabric of tennis—period. It always has been, and always will be. I take that seriously and personally.
How is your brother John doing? Do you still play together?
John is doing incredible. He’s 66 now and going as strong as ever. We have so much fun working together at the academy and on TV. It’s been so cool for me to work with him on-air since he came over to ESPN, too. And he still often comes to our academy in NYC and plays with the kids—and is as feisty as ever!
Plus!
MEET MELISSA ERRICO, Broadway Star and Patrick’s Wife
You first met your husband as children. Did you ever imagine that your paths would one day lead to marriage, careers in the spotlight, and three children together?
I was 6 years old when I met Patrick, maybe younger. I definitely didn’t imagine marrying him and having twins, a 2-year-old, and a Broadway career with a tennis stud husband, no. I was more interested in a Spanish boy in our elementary school to be honest, who could do cool flips off the diving board at the local club! I loved Patrick my whole life, always trusted him, and loved his full head of blond hair. I remembered his cat, Charlotte, and the way he laughed with my older brother, who was his best friend. I remember he could kick a soccer ball pretty far.
You’re each celebrated in your own right—you on-stage and Patrick on the court. What’s it been like navigating such public-facing careers under one roof?
I think it’s been bonding because we have a lot in common. We have the common enemy of perfection; by that I mean, we strive to do the best we can, fail, pickup, win a few, feel good (or bad) and then strive again. We also share in each other’s successes. I have the best coach in the world—him. We understand each other. I respect his talents and more keep emerging.
You both travel often for work. How do you prioritize connection and family while living such fast-paced, high-profile lives?
When the kids were little, I either stayed put or brought them everywhere—from Atlanta, while I starred in Bull Durham, to Wimbledon and then Australian Open. Family always came first. Over the past decade, I’ve shaped a career that gives me creative freedom and flexibility—developing thematic cabaret shows, recording albums, touring internationally, and writing a series for The New York Times. I’ve learned to plan years ahead, booking concerts around major tennis tournaments and our family calendar. Now that the kids are older, they roll with it—and even laugh when I forget where Daddy is!
All images courtesy.
